Who we are
The Bonfire Boyes organise the annual Bonfire Night celebrations in Winchelsea, helping to maintain a tradition that is particularly strong in Sussex. The Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes are a member of the Sussex Bonfire Council.
The Bonfire Boyes have also put on special firework displays for national events like the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and the 50th anniversaries of VE and VJ Days. They also mark the start and finish of the two-minute silence on Remembrance Day in Winchelsea by firing maroons.
Although a small society, the Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes have earned a reputation for putting on magnificent firework displays. The event is very popular with families, as the Bonfire Night celebrations in neighbouring towns like Rye and Battle are very crowded, and can be intimidating for small children.
Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night begins with the Guy being paraded through the village on a cart accompanied by a torchlight procession, which starts off from Castle Street at about 6:30pm and marches to Rookery Field (off Rookery Lane). The Guy is placed on top of the bonfire. Those members of the procession carrying torches gather around the bonfire, recite the Bonfire Prayer and then thrust their torches into the bonfire to light it.
After the Guy has been burnt, there is a firework display. Since 2004, the fireworks have been set up and fired by professional pyrotechnicians. Their participations allows the use of much larger and more spectacular fireworks than are otherwise available.
Bonfire Night is celebrated in Winchelsea on the Saturday closest to 5th November that does not clash with Bonfire Night in Rye. Our calendar for the next few years is:
- 1st November 2008
- 7th November 2009
If you are coming along...
Bonfire Night in Winchelsea is open to non-residents. All we would ask is that you behave responsibly. Among other things, please take care of the torches carried in the procession, do not bring your own fireworks or sparklers, and keep a close eye on any children that you bring along (all children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult).
It is a good idea to wear boots, as Rookery Field can be wet and there may have been cattle or sheep in the field! You should also take care walking across Rookery Field, which is very uneven. Those in wheelchairs can comfortably watch the event from the verge outside the field.
Please contribute generously to the collection: it's good value. And, when we get to the bonfire, join in the recitation of the Bonfire Prayer!
The Winchelsea Bonfire Prayer
Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes
‘Twas his intent
To blow the King and Parliament;
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Hurra boyes, hurra boyes, make the Town ring.
Hurra boyes, hurra boyes, Winchelsea for the King.
Bonfire Night by Lucia Comotto, age 3
Top | Town Diary | Special Events | Contact Us
|
|
|
Volunteers
We need lots of volunteers to help make the Guy, build the bonfire, manage the procession and display, clean up after the event and organise fund-raising events. Bonfire building starts at 10:00am on the morning of Bonfire Night. Just come along to Rookery Field wearing old clothes.
We would also appreciate volunteers to help clear up Rookery Field on the day after Bonfire Night. We start at 10:00am.
If you would like to become a Bonfire Boy, the annual subscription is a mere £5. Read our constitution. Our AGM is held in Rookery Field at about 1:00pm on the day of the Bonfire, when we take a break from building the bonfire and have lunch. Come and join us.
Paying for Bonfire Night
The Bonfire Boyes need about £1,800 a year to pay for fireworks and insurance. This money comes from a collection held on Bonfire Night and fund-raising events during the year, notably the Curry Night in February and the Asparagus Night in May. Use of Rookery Field is provided without charge by the National Trust and Mr Mason Palmer of Wickham Manor Farm. You can inspect our annual accounts.
Organising Bonfire Night
An awful lot of hard work goes into organising Bonfire Night. Notifications have to be given to the Ambulance Service, Coastguard, English Heritage, Environmental Health Department of Rother District Council, Fire Brigade, National Trust and Police. A written risk assessment has to be provided to Environmental Health. Safe distances, as specified in DTI guidance, are laid out between the audience and the firework display. The event is also well marshalled.
|
|
